I scoffed and stepped out of the folded space.
My presence unfurled without restraint. The pressure hit first and the upper Transcendent's aura collapsed as if someone had blown out a candle. In the same instant, I was already in front of him, my hand locked around his throat, lifting him just enough that his feet scraped uselessly against the air.
"There's no need for you to interfere," I said calmly, my grip steady. "We can talk first. That will be easier for both of us."
Knight moved the moment I did.
Shadows burst outward from his form, stretching and splitting into bladed tendrils that struck. He chose targets, engaging the other Transcendents one by one, forcing them into close combat where their coordination broke down and their advantages vanished.
The phantom in my grasp finally spoke, his voice distorted but controlled. "What are you doing here?"
I tilted my head slightly, studying him.
"You recognize me," I said with a faint smile. "Good. That saves time."
